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Relief for hot flashes during the night

Posted by robertmizek @robertmizek, May 26 11:25am

I found something that helps reduce the number of disruptive hot flashes that wake me up during the night and want to share it with the group. I am on both Orgovyx and Zytiga. The hot flashes during the day are just annoying, but the ones at night have been disruptive to my sleep, which adds to my fatigue during the day. I have been using a ceiling fan with mixed results and needed something better.

I recently bought a “Dual Temp” cooling mattress pad from my local Sleep Number store. The pad goes on top of the mattress (and mattress pad if you use one) and is covered by a fitted breathable sheet. The cooling and heating unit goes under the bed. It has three settings for warming or cooling. The way it works is that you cover the fitted sheet with a top sheet and or a blanket, bedspread, or comforter. You turn the unit on about 20 minutes before you plan to get into bed to cool off the bed. This it’s important. It won’t work as well if you don’t pre cool the bed. The unit under the bed blows chilled air through a flattened tube and into the mattress pad. The pad blows the chilled air through the fitting sheet and the top sheet / blanket trapping it underneath. I found the highest setting helps keep me stay cool and it greatly reduced the number of hot flashes that wake me up. It’s so cool that I have to wear light sleep pants! I set a timer for the number of hours you want it to run. If I do get a hot flash the cool air seems to reduce sweating and quickly wicks moisture away.

It’s a bit pricey; typically $1,199 for 1/2 for a King sized bed when not on sale. On sale it may cost $200-$300 less and may include free shipping. It’s also not silent. On HIGH I was concerned that the fan noise would be a problem. It wasn’t a problem for me but it might be for you.

There are other less expensive units that blow air around you however I don’t believe that they provide cooling from beneath you. For the record, I have no affiliation with Sleep Number. I’m just sharing what I learned to provide information that might help other PCa patients whose sleep is being disrupted by hot flashes.

Here are a couple links for more information
https://www.sleepnumber.com/products/dualtemp-layer
https://youtu.be/UBWYY3vA5iE?si=juoCSuZyXwflmh1X

Good luck to all on their journey with PCa!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

stevecando54 | @stevecando54 | May 27 7:00am

Thank you for sharing, my hot flashes have been dissipating lately during the day. I do keep waking at night but that is from having to empty my bladder. I get what seems like flushes that make me sweat, all in all is okay.

REPLY
brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | May 27 7:50am

Good info.

For me (9 months on Eligard), I exercised daily - weight-bearing exercises (weightlifting, resistance-training, etc.) That resulted in minimizing/avoiding most side-effects. Hot flashes became mild warm flashes.

Here’s a study about the benefits of exercise to counteract the adverse effects of ADT —> https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx

Here’s a video from a recent PCRI conferences about hormone therapy and the physical benefits of exercise:
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE61HSAsFb0

REPLY
2 replies
robertmizek | @robertmizek | May 27 8:18am
In reply to @brianjarvis "Good info. For me (9 months on Eligard), I exercised daily - weight-bearing exercises (weightlifting, resistance-training,..." + (show)
@brianjarvis

Good info.

For me (9 months on Eligard), I exercised daily - weight-bearing exercises (weightlifting, resistance-training, etc.) That resulted in minimizing/avoiding most side-effects. Hot flashes became mild warm flashes.

Here’s a study about the benefits of exercise to counteract the adverse effects of ADT —> https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx

Here’s a video from a recent PCRI conferences about hormone therapy and the physical benefits of exercise:
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE61HSAsFb0

Jump to this post

Great advice, thanks! I’m only 5 weeks into ADT so I believe that my body is still getting used to castration level T. My hot flashes are already less often than just two weeks ago. I weight train every day; alternating between upper and lower body. I started that about two months before I started ADT. I met with a personal trainer from Northwestern Medicine in Chicago who helped me set up a daily regimen. I use a Bowflex for resistance and free weights. I’m still building muscle mass albeit slowly. I also power walk and cycle.

Thanks again for sharing and good luck on your journey.

REPLY
chamblee54 | @chamblee54 | May 27 8:19am
In reply to @brianjarvis "Good info. For me (9 months on Eligard), I exercised daily - weight-bearing exercises (weightlifting, resistance-training,..." + (show)
@brianjarvis

Good info.

For me (9 months on Eligard), I exercised daily - weight-bearing exercises (weightlifting, resistance-training, etc.) That resulted in minimizing/avoiding most side-effects. Hot flashes became mild warm flashes.

Here’s a study about the benefits of exercise to counteract the adverse effects of ADT —> https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx

Here’s a video from a recent PCRI conferences about hormone therapy and the physical benefits of exercise:
> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE61HSAsFb0

Jump to this post

I was exercising daily. Combo of treadmill and weight resistance - but then I pulled my back out and it hurts bad enough that I’ve been skipping the workouts trying to get my back stretched and strengthened - as I’m afraid of re- injuring. Ugh. 15 days on Eligard and that pill that goes with it (?) forgot the name )
Will switch to Orgovyx in about 2 weeks. Am seeing slight weight gain around my middle already and have some very mild hot flashes the last few days.

REPLY
1 reply
brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | May 27 8:40am
In reply to @chamblee54 "I was exercising daily. Combo of treadmill and weight resistance - but then I pulled my..." + (show)
@chamblee54

I was exercising daily. Combo of treadmill and weight resistance - but then I pulled my back out and it hurts bad enough that I’ve been skipping the workouts trying to get my back stretched and strengthened - as I’m afraid of re- injuring. Ugh. 15 days on Eligard and that pill that goes with it (?) forgot the name )
Will switch to Orgovyx in about 2 weeks. Am seeing slight weight gain around my middle already and have some very mild hot flashes the last few days.

Jump to this post

When I injured myself, I began doing exercises in a pool; the buoyancy helped relieve the strain on my body, and I could continue with the resistance training, (Always listen to your body.)

Is that pill called Casodex (Bicalutumide)?

Interesting combination. Many people start with Orgovyx to drop the testosterone quickly, then switch to injections. You’re doing it in reverse.

Whenever you get back to the resistance-training, the better it will be for you.

REPLY
1 reply
chamblee54 | @chamblee54 | May 27 8:59am
In reply to @brianjarvis "When I injured myself, I began doing exercises in a pool; the buoyancy helped relieve the..." + (show)
@brianjarvis

When I injured myself, I began doing exercises in a pool; the buoyancy helped relieve the strain on my body, and I could continue with the resistance training, (Always listen to your body.)

Is that pill called Casodex (Bicalutumide)?

Interesting combination. Many people start with Orgovyx to drop the testosterone quickly, then switch to injections. You’re doing it in reverse.

Whenever you get back to the resistance-training, the better it will be for you.

Jump to this post

Yes. Casodex. It took awhile for me to get the Orgovyx ok’d by my insurance. Had to go thru an appeals process. So they started me on Eliguard during the appeal.
Proton treatment also had to be appealed.
Pool idea could be a good way for me to stay moving at least with swimming until back heals. Thanks.

REPLY
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